4-Day School Week

Why a 4-Day School Week

Collins-Maxwell CSD’s primary driving force behind this examination of a 4-day school week is geared toward teacher retention and recruitment. We currently have one unfilled position at the MS/HS and consistently have a low applicant pool in both buildings. In order to keep up with a highly competitive job market in the metropolitan area, we, as a rural district, need to consider all solutions for recruitment and retention strategies for the overall benefit of our learners.

Research

Over the last twenty years, the concept has taken hold in rural, western states. In Iowa, Waco CSD became the first school to implement a four-day school week. They are now in their 11th year of implementation. As of September 2024, there are 17 districts in Iowa with 4-day school weeks.

Benefits

Students & Families

• Increased engagement
• Attendance
  • Appointment planning/scheduling
• Positive learning environment
  • Fewer discipline issues
• Standardized schedule for days off
• Time for other important matters
• A day off for students to work (apprenticeships, college visits, internships, and career readiness)
• Teacher retention

School & Staff

• Professional development engagement
• Appointment planning/scheduling
• Time
• Increased open-enrollment in
• Some cost-savings, but limited
• 85.2% of staff surveyed are in support of this change

Challenges

• Childcare
• Student activities
• Food and nutrition
• Change

Addressing Childcare

Schools currently operating on a 4-day week reported this was a concern amongst parents at first – but it has not been an issue to date. Our local providers could have the capacity to meet childcare needs.

Addressing Student Activities

• Activities are still held on Monday
• Explore keeping as many events off of Monday
• Run an activities bus route if needed
• No activities, including practices, will begin until 3:30 pm or later on Mondays

Addressing Food & Nutrition Solutions

Nutritional Department

• Potentially provide meals on Mondays
• Charged to student lunch account

Food Insecurity

• Backpack program
• United Way

Addressing Change

All schools we have talked with have witnessed positive changes in education. The best way to manage this change is to plan and communicate effectively.

How Would This Work at Collins-Maxwell?

Final schedule is subject to change

Day of the week with no school: Monday

School Days: 151 days, 1,080 hours

• Mondays in the spring could be used to make up hours as necessary
• Still have a Spring Break Week
• Still get our before Memorial Day

Current Schedule

• Elementary: 8:20 am - 3:20 pm (6.5 hours)
• MS/HS: 8:10 am - 3:10 pm (6.5 hours)
• 30-minute lunch

4-Day School Week Schedule

• Elementary: 8:05 am - 3:35 pm (7 hours)
• MS/HS: 8:00 am - 3:30 pm (7 hours)
• 30-minute lunch

Presentation

For more information about a potential 4-day school week, view the presentation from our community forum on November 19, 2024

4-Day School Week Presentation

Top Reasons

• Teacher retention and recruitment
  • Most important factor in student success is the teacher
  • Recruit the best teachers to Collins-Maxwell
  • Train, evaluate, and support (wellness)
  • Retain quality teachers at Collins-Maxwell
• Improved student and staff morale; positive school climate
• Make Collins-Maxwell a destination to learn and work
• Absenteeism for students
  • Chronic absenteeism law
  • Mondays and Fridays are typically the most missed days